Dr. Bhauji Lad Museum has undergone a long process of restoration and is now open to public. The ticket at Rs10/- for an Indian adult is cheaper than a Vada Pav. I went there for a guided tour of how the legendary painter Raja Ravi Verma’s works proved to be an inspiration to the industrial trinkets manufacturers. Raja Ravi Verma painted a lot of Indian Gods and Goddesses in a western contemporary format, this influenced the makers of religious statues some of which are kept here. I reported to the museum quite early and went through most of the exhibit.
Then later I joined a free tour which focussed on reflections of Raja Ravi Verma on the religious statues and trinkets. Even though I have some reference of Verma’s works I totally missed this point in the exhibits. That is why I suggest visitors should join such guided tours which show what is hidden in plain sight. Our tour guide an artist/historian herself was very knowledgeable and at ease. Despite the hot summer sun making us sweat she explained and engaged the audience with great enthusiasm.
The museum conducts daily free tours and some focussed tours as well, so if you have the time please join them to understand our rich cultural past colonial or otherwise. There is also a museum shop where one can buy some goods and the resulting money goes to the museum fund.
